Research carried out by Stonegate showed 53% of consumers spent more than £5 on their lunch each day, almost totalling a month’s salary over the year.

Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 35% of 18 to 34-year-olds said they spent more than £7 on lunch a day, compared with 63% of those aged between 45 and 54 spending less than £5 on their midday meal.

Spent more than £6​

Almost three quarters (72%) of consumers in the Republic of Ireland said they spent more than £6 on lunch to eat at their desk, the research claimed.

Stonegate senior marketing manager Samantha Maynard said in a press release: “It’s really interesting to see the amount that people are willing to spend on their lunch every day.

“As a bar serving food, we are always looking at ways to make our customer experience even better and with lunches available from £5 Monday to Friday, it seems that Brits might be better off heading to their local Slug & Lettuce to enjoy their lunch without the hassle.”

Managed pub company Stonegate has set out on an acquisition spree​ recently, including making a conditional proposal to acquire the Revolution Bars Group at the beginning of last month.

In July, the pubco acquired a Punch pub​ in Kent, which it earmarked for a £400,000 investment to overhaul the site.

Queen Street Tap​

The Hole in the Roof will be renamed the Queen Street Tap and will create 25 new jobs, the company said at the time of the buyout.